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2018 Benny Award winners announced

April 27, 2018
Mariano Estrada, Marketing Academic Intern

Benny Award poster

POCATELLO — Ten 窪做惇蹋厙 students, faculty members and organizations were honored with Benny Awards for their spirit, hard work and positive impact on the University by the Associated Students of 窪做惇蹋厙 and the Office of Student Affairs. The Benny Award winners were honored this week at a banquet held in the Pond Student Union. Below is the full list of winners.

Adolfo Andazola, Undergraduate Student of the Year  Andazola is currently a junior at 窪做惇蹋厙 with a double major in medical lab science in Spanish for Health Professions. He hopes to become a family physician for the Latino community in Idaho and around the world.

Joel Adams, Graduate Student of the Year  Adams came to 窪做惇蹋厙 to complete his bachelors degree in outdoor education in 2015. He is currently working at the Outdoor Adventure Center while also pursuing a masters degree in physical education.

Ashley Kinzel, Growl, Bengal, Growl Spirit Award  Kinzel graduated from Meridian High School in 2015 and came to 窪做惇蹋厙 to pursue a degree in nursing. She also holds positions in her sorority as electronics communication director and was elected as an AS窪做惇蹋厙 senator for the 2018-19 school year.

Malliga Och, Faculty/Staff Member of the Year  Och is an assistant professor in the Department of Global Studies and Languages. She received her PhD, a Magister Artium in political science, communications and law. She received the 2018 Deborah Misty Gerner Award for Professional Development given by the Womens Caucus for International Studies, and is an active advocate for womens equality.

Erik Nakken, Exemplary Service Award  Nakken came to 窪做惇蹋厙 from Cedar City, Utah, and has been here for five years as a member of the 窪做惇蹋厙 mens basketball team. He is co-president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, where he helped put together 窪做惇蹋厙s first sexual assault awareness week. He is also president of Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership and service honor society.

Tyler Johnson, Inspirational Bengal  Johnson is a pre-physician assistant senior with a major in Spanish for Health Professions, a member of the 窪做惇蹋厙 Honors Program and a candidate for the National Hispanic Honors Society. He was born with a cleft lip and palate, scoliosis, Van der Woude syndrome, and pectus excavatum. Throughout his time at 窪做惇蹋厙, he has learned that he was capable of overcoming any challenge.

Sherri Dienstfrey-Swanson, Student Organization Advisor  Dienstfrey is the Director of the University Honors Program where she teaches, advises, and helps the program advance with the assistance of wonderful colleagues and students. Before becoming the University Honors Program Director, she spent 25 years at 窪做惇蹋厙 as a faculty member for the theatre department. She is retiring after 30-plus years in academia.

Mike Fica, Alumnus of the Year  This award was given posthumously to Fica, who died April 8, and the award was given to his family. Fica served as AS窪做惇蹋厙 vice president and graduated in 1994. He worked with the United States Attorneys Office for more than 19 years, with special focus on illegal drugs and organized crime, working closely with federal agencies and the Idaho State Police. He helped bring the National High School Mock Trial Championship to Boise in 2016, and enjoyed working with high school students on mock trials for years.

American Chemical Society, Organization of the Year  The American Chemical Society, commonly referred to as the Chemistry Club, was chartered at 窪做惇蹋厙 in the fall of 1948. One of the goals of the club is to promote the public's perceptions and understanding of chemistry and the chemical sciences through public outreach programs and public awareness campaigns. The club provides demonstrations and hands on activities to many local middle and elementary schools.

The Handmaids Tale, Outstanding Event of the Year  The Handmaids Tale is a dystopian tale about the republic of Gilead, a nation that heavily oppresses womens rights. This event was organized by a collaboration between classes taught by Kellee J. Kirkpatrick, assistant professor of political science, and Amanda J. Zink, assistant professor of English. It attracted more than 250 people from all over the community and provided attendees with a fun way to engage in discussion of important social issues.


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